MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. — Malmstrom’s $1.8-billion Minuteman III modernization program reached a milestone Jan. 30 when the wing’s 10th ICBM was installed with a new booster and reached strategic alert status under the Propulsion Replacement Program.
The 341st Space Wing requested formal Propulsion Replacement Program Initial Operational Capability Jan. 31 based on 10 Minuteman III ICBMs achieving strategic alert status. The declaration of Initial Operational Capability means Malmstrom has met all the requirements for operational re-deployment, including maintenance and training, and is capable of continuing the booster program on the remaining assets.
Malmstrom is the first base in Air Force Space Command to place 10 Minuteman III Propulsion Replacement Program boosters on alert. The wing installed the first new booster on April 16, 2001.
The Propulsion Replacement Program extends the life, maintains the performance, and improves the reliability of the operational ICBM force by replacing the old solid propellant boosters, according to Maj. Phillip Boroff, the logistics operations flight commander in the 341st Logistics Support Squadron.
“Achieving IOC in less than one year speaks volumes about Team Malmstrom,” Boroff said. “Everyone involved here, from the planners and maintenance teams to security forces and depot maintenance personnel made adjustments and sacrifices to make it happen. Every organization hasIslan critical. Their professionalism and dedication is why we continue to set the pace for the entire command.”
The remainder of the Malmstrom MMIIIs will be installed with new boosters over the next six years.
